Sportsbet Blog

Collingwood V Western Bulldogs

Tip: Collingwood

Odds: Collingwood 1.22 Bulldogs 4.35

Although the Pies were upset last week against the Hawks it was a great lead in game for the finals. They played pretty good seeing that they didn’t need to win the game so will be prepared to go 100% this weekend.

The Bulldogs coming off an impressive win against Essendon last week looked polished and should put up a fight against the Pies but I think they will lack the skills Collingwood has shown this year along with the continuing list of injuries the Bulldogs have going into this game.

My prediction is the Pies by over 40 points paying at Sportsbet here

Geelong V St Kilda

Tip: Geelong

Odds: Geelong 1.38 St Kilda 3.10

The Cats have proven once again they are the class side this year so tipping against them would take some guts. They have the better form going into the game and look to be more composed going into the finals.

I’m tipping a close game but the Cats to be too strong and win by around about 14 points. See the latest odds for this game at Sportsbet.

Fremantle V Hawthorn

Tip: Hawthorn

Odds: Fremantle 2.20 Hawthorn 1.68

The Hawks look to be the surprise package this finals series and should take care of the Dockers over in WA.
The Hawks have a near full strength side where Freo have been hit hard with injury this year and it will show this weekend. I’m tipping the Hawks to win by 30 points.

Sydney V Carlton

Tip: Sydney

Odds: Sydney 1.45 Carlton 2.77

Sydney play great football at home and always step up when it comes to finals and will give Paul Roos a great final send off game as coach in Sydney.
Carlton may get the jump on the Swans with the flair that they play with but I expect the Swans to grind out the win.
I’m tipping the Swans by 18 points.

One punter stands to win the largest amount in AFL betting history after an enormous wager on St Kilda to win the 2010 Grand Final was placed with leading online bookmaker Sportsbet.
The bet of $500,000 at the odds of $6 means the punter will collect $3 Million if the Saints hold the premiership trophy aloft on the last Saturday in September.
“This is the largest bet written in AFL betting history and will comfortably be the biggest ever collect if St Kilda win the flag,” said Sportsbet’s Haydn Lane.

“The Saints were as short as $3.60 less than a month ago but a run of patchy form saw their odds blow out to $6.
“Clearly this punter thought the price was too good to refuse. He has had an account with us since April but this is the first bet he’s placed.”

Prior to this morning’s bet, the biggest wager Sportsbet had taken on the 2010 AFL Premiership was a bet of $50,000 placed in March on the Western Bulldogs at the odds of $6.50.
St Kilda is now into $5 to win the 2010 AFL Premiership.

Market courtesy of Sportsbet
2010 AFL Premiership

$3        Geelong
$3.60   Collingwood (out from $3.50)
$4.50   Western Bulldogs
$5        St Kilda (in from $6)
$12      Hawthorn (out from $11)
$26      Fremantle (out from $23)
$67      Carlton
$126    Sydney
$151    Melbourne
$201    Adelaide
$251    North Melbourne
$501    Essendon
$501    Port Adelaide

See Round 2 2011 Footy Tips Here

Round 2 footy tips are fairly straight forward with majority of the odds going well and truly with the favourites this weekend. The AFL match of the Round Two is the Geelong V Hawks game on Monday and the top of the table Hawks (after 1 round) will be looking to kickstart their season with a win over last years premiers.

It’s not too late to join Sportsbet Million Dollar Tipping, its free to play and home games have been picked for new players that missed round 1

Brisbane V  Carlton Thursday Night at the Gabba

Tip: Brisbane

Odds: Brisbane 1.33 Carlton 3.30

The Lions showed the force they will bring in 2010 from their forwards with Fev and Brown having 17 scoring shots between them last week. Although they looked a little rough around the edges for the first three quarters, a 7 goal to 2 made amends. They will once again be tough to hold down on Thursday and I predict an easy win for Brisbane. The Lions expect Jed Adcock to be right to play after sustaining an ankle injury.

Collingwood V Melbourne Saturday at the MCG

Tip: Collingwood

Odds: Collingwood 1.05 Melbourne 10.00

I hate to say it but I think the Pies are in for a good year this year. They outclassed one of the Premiership favourites in the Bulldogs last week and should have the Demons wrapped up at half time. Melbourne look to include Colin Sylvia in their line up after he fractured his jaw in the pre season but wont do much to stop the Collingwood onslaught.

West Coast V Port Adelaide Saturday Night at Subiaco Oval

Tip: West Coast

Odds: West Coast 1.58 Port Adelaide 2.40

The Eagles should put up a fight at home this weekends. They are a young quick team and have heaps of promise and should match up against a solid Port Adelaide side. Daniel Motlop should be right to play for Port after some hamstring tightness but I’m tipping West Coast will be to strong at home.

St Kilda V North Melbourne Saturday Night at Etihad Stadium

Tip: St Kilda

Odds: St Kilda 1.14 North Melbourne 5.75

With a close win over Sydney last week the Saints will be out to setup a comfortable win to keep off any pressure. St Kilda will be without forward Justin Koschitzke for the next three weeks after a late and high bump on Sydneys Nick Malceski. He will be missed but St Kilda has proven they have a long list and should get more than enough goals from their midfield to make up for it.

Adelaide V Sydney Sunday at AAMI Stadium

Tip: Adelaide

Odds: Adelaide 1.57 Sydney 2.42

After the shock loss to Fremantle, Adelaide should bounce back with a win at home this weekend. Taylor Walker look impressive for the Crows with 4 goals and will be the one to keep an eye out for along with the explosive Lewis Jetta for Sydney who loves to break the lines.

Essendon V Fremantle Sunday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: Essendon

Odds: Essendon 1.48 Fremantle 2.70

Freo haven’t been able to beat Essendon at Etihad Stadium for many many years. Essendon will be out to show Ex Don Adam McPhee why he should have stayed in Victoria. I’m tipping Essendon by over 39 points.

Richmond V Western Bulldogs Sunday Afternoon at the MCG

Tip: Western Bulldogs

Odds: Western Bulldogs 1.05 Richmond 10.00

This wont be a great game to watch for Tiger supporters. The Bulldogs will be out for blood after their shock loss to Collingwood and will fight out the game for the full four quarters. My prediction is Barry Hall to have a 5 goal + game. Richmond haven’t beaten the Bulldogs since round 3 in 2005.

Hawthorn V Geelong Monday at the MCG

Tip: Geelong

Odds: Hawthorn 2.50 Geelong 1.55

Defiantly the match of round two. These two heavy weights . Brent Renouf and Cyril Rioli look set to come back from injury for the Hawks and Geelong look to recall Max Rooke to their line up. It should be an amazing match to watch and a great way to end the Easter long weekend.

Match Details

Saturday 20th March. 7:10pm at Etihad Stadium.

Sportsbet Odds

Western Bulldogs 1.91

St Kilda 1.91

Preview

The 2010 AFL season is yet to kick off and we already have an epic on our hands for the NAB Cup grand final.

If this game is half as good as the 2009 preliminary final against the two sides (where St Kilda went onto win by 7 points) we will be in for a cracker.

Both teams have played good footy (when needed) leading into the final showing off some new talent along the way which could be the telling part of Saturday nights game.

For the Saints Rhys Stanley and Ben McEvoy have inspired in the last few weeks and both have been named to play in the grand final. Their height and speed played a welcome part in last weeks 70 point dismantling of Fremantle.

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Update:

Sportingbet have just opened a new market now that St Kilda has lost a game. Will St Kilda lose a 2nd game in 2009 (finals included) Yes is paying $1.35 and No $3.00. Interesting odds for both sides and I think its worth a bet for Saints to not lose another at $3.00. Checkout the latest odds at Sportingbet.

Its the question on everyone’s lips. Can the Saints go 22 wins in a row in what would be a new AFL record?

The current AFL record is 20 consecutive wins in a season which Essendon currently holds (year 2000). One record St Kilda does already own is its AFL/VFL record breaking losing streak. Between 1897 and 1899 they went 48 games without a win, a fine effort that would be worth many priority draft picks these days!

Sportsbet definitely don’t think they can get the record. They are paying $3.15 for St Kilda to go the whole home and away season undefeated and $1.35 for them to have at least one loss.

Here’s St Kilda’s run home

1. Western Bulldogs at Etihad
2. Sydney at the SCG
3. Hawthorn in Tasmania
4. Essendon at Etihad
5. North Melbourne at Etihad
6. Melbourne at the MCG

So looking at the final six games there is currently only one true danger game, the Bulldogs this weekend. The Saints comfortably bet the Doggies in round 6 by 28 points. If the Saints can emulate the way they played against the Crows on Sunday they look to have the goods not only over the Bulldogs but over the other final five teams they play this season.

Ross Lyon said they want to better their game in certain areas before the finals which at face value means they should only get better. The Saints have also said they wont be taking Geelong’s counter productive approach in resting players.

Personally as a St Kilda supporter, I think they can do it. Their bottom tier players Sam Gilbert, Sean Depster, Zac Dawson Clinton Jones and Andrew McQualter have all stepped up this year making life much easier for the leadership group. The Saints back line although not star studded is currently the most efficient in the AFL only conceding 967 points, 311 points clear of 2nd place Geelong’s defence.

My tip is to get your money on the Saints before the Bulldogs game. If they beat them on Saturday the odds to finish the season unbeaten will dramatically shorten and most of the value from the bet will be lost.

Here’s another tip, Sportsbet will give you a $50 free bet just for joining them through Sportsbet Blog. The free bet can be placed on any market including the Saints tip I mentioned earlier. They will also match your first deposit 100% up to $100. Check out the Sportsbet site to join and for the latest odds for the Saints.